I need something one up from the orange Tampax - why do they not sell the purple ones here?

[TheParrot]

I’m 50 and I’m in the last few months getting through a super plus in an hour and a half. I obviously supplement with heavy duty pads and I’m aware I need to see a doctor but it’s been intermittent and right now I need something to get me through work tomorrow and sleep tonight. I’m having to set an alarm at night and I’m still ending up washing bedding. I’m still regular as clockwork but the flow has gone crazy. Why do the Americans get one flow up from our orange ones? I’m supplementing like crazy because I can at least buy that stuff and I will go to the doctors but AIBU that I can’t deal with the short term literal mess with a product I know exists but isn’t sold here?

Lillets do super plus extra and ultra absorbancies if that's any help

Lilltets do a super plus extra. It doesn't have an applicator but it is better than super plus Tampax

They're available on Amazon - they're called Ultra.

@NannyR hi 👋 I’ve literally never tried a non applicator tampon - it’s always been a bit daunting? It’s now even more daunting now I’m dealing with something that looks like I’ve employed special effects but if they actually are more absorbent I’m ready to try anything.

The purple lillets are good and I think they do another size above that too? I find them far superior to tampax.
I get mine from savers.

You can get the purple lillets from asda. Plus period pants and a night time super pad.
Good luck I know how heinous it is

@Blueuggboots WHERE? 🙂 Are you in the UK?

i wondered this very same thing this morning when I soaked through an orange one in about 90 mins. I’m the same age as you OP and I’m so desperate for my periods to stop. It’s been 38 years now. WHEN WILL THEY STOP?????
Anyway, I’m off to look on Amazon now, and to check out Lillets.

I actually don't rate Tampax at all lilets are do much better

Incontinence products can be better for overnight for someone with extremely heavy periods, supermarkets sell them as do pharmacies.
Not an ideal solution but can be better than washing sheets at 2am while you wait for a a doctors appointment

Bloody hell they’re expensive!!

amzn.eu/d/h66WPZj

Try some period pants as an extra layer, they'll help stop the leaking that means you need to wash the sheets.

@TheParrot, yes, in the UK....hang on....

www.savers.co.uk/Lil-Lets/Lil-Lets-Ultra-Non-App-Tampons-X10/p/535951 - most absorbent

www.savers.co.uk/Lil-Lets/Lil-Lets-Super-Plus-Extra-X14/p/15853 - purple ones.

Tampax are beyond crap....these are much better! (And don't smell weird like tampax do!!)

I only once used a non applicator tampon as a 17 year old when I had to ask the school nurse for Feminine Stationary. I exited the cubicle looking like Pauline Quirk in the Sculptress in my own mind. I’m old - tell me like I’m 12 how it works? 😳

Have you tried tranexamic acid?
it goes by various brand names.
It’s available over the counter in big Boots.
I had horrendous bleeding pre menopause, these tablets were a god send.

Try these:

https://amzn.eu/d/9pGbDkb

Tampax Pearl do the ultra which is purple?

If not already try HRT?

Dont wipe so the blood acts as lube then just poke it in with your finger, it'll naturally go in the right place. Highly recommend mooncups they're great for heavy flow and reduce cramps (my Dr hat still cant understand how the latter works)

But yea see ur gp you'll likely be v iron deficient

I'm not recommending this, but I remember my mum saying she used to use 2 biggest size tampax at once.

When I started flooding around 50 I was using a mooncup, instead of lasting 7 to 9 hours it was overflowing in 20 mins. It was horrible and I couldn't go anywhere.
I was also using super pads as well.
And sleeping on towels or incontinence/puppy pads to limit bedding changes.

Following investigations I had a mirena fitted. Took 5m to settle but has been fantastic. I've very obviously still got a cycle from other body changes but I either don't bleed or just have a smear of it when I wipe.

I know you say you haven't got time but would strongly suggest referring to your GP.

Tranexamic acid also helped at times.

Use maternity pads and get a mirena coil asap!

Open packet. Pull threads out of the way, and push your finger in the base end of the tampon to flare the base. Spread your labia with the other hand, and with a finger in the base of the tampon, push it up your vagina at a slight backwards angle towards your bum. Keep pushing until you can't push it any more.

I've always been too heavy for Tampax. Lillets are far better, and before my fibroids were treated, I couldn't have left the house if not for the orange Lillets Ultra, which I believe is the biggest (most absorbent) tampon available in the U.K.

Before my hysterectomy I'd flood through an orange tampon in 20 minutes.

Purple lillets gave me an hour.

So on that basis I think it should give you a few hours which is probably worth the try.

You can now get tranexamic acid over the counter for heavy periods. It REALLY helped mine.